Kona Half Marathon
Kona, Hawaii
Sunday, June 28, 2015

I walked the Kona Half Marathon in Kona, Hawaii on Sunday. June 28, 2015. As expected the day was hot with the temperature at 78 degrees at the start and 87 degrees when I finished. To go along with the heat were mostly clear skies and almost no breeze. The course completely used the bike lane on the roads of the Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort and the main Hawaii Highway 19. Police and volunteers controlled the quite abundant traffic at the intersections. Water/electrolyte stations were located approximately every 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic efficient volunteers. The half marathon had approximately 525 entries and the marathon had 225 entries. There was also a 5K and a 10K event. This event has been held for over 20 years and is sponsored by Kona Coffee. This is the second time that I have done the event as I did the marathon in 2008. The event has a reputation of being a very friendly well organized event and attracts many Marathon Maniacs, Half Fanatics, and 50 Staters. My friends, Larry Macon (has completed almost 1500 marathon), Paula and Steve Boone (have completed over 900 marathons between them and are founders of the 50 State Marathon Club), and Alex Davidson (an outstanding race walker who is 1 state away from completing a marathon in all 50 states a third time). As for me my hamstring is still injured but not as bad as when I was in Anchorage, Alaska last weekend. I once again walked casually with some pain on each left step, this time at a 19:12 minute pace. I also believe I did not further injure my hamstring. I was able to finish the half marathon. I have now completed a half marathon in all 50 states since having my knee replaced on 2/20/2012. I have also completed a total of 84 half marathons on my new knee. My walking statistics since January 1, 2002 show at total of 135 marathons with one or more in all 50 states plus DC and a total of 163 half marathons with two or more in all 50 states plus DC. It is now time to let my hamstring completely heal so I can continue race walking half marathons without pain.